Tessera

Valerie Storm 📚

@valeriestorm.bsky.social

Author, Lady of Storms, Queen of Knives, Goddess of Lightning Best-selling author on my street 😘 Demon Storm series is complete!! (https://shadowsparkpub.com/valerie-storm) https://linktr.ee/ValerieStorm

428 Posts332 Follower 152 Folgt

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 2h ago

Screams echoed the crash of wood-and-thatch rooves caving in; shouted commands rang; and beneath it all was the crackle of flames. Blazing #chaos had spread across the quaint village; and for a moment, all Kari could do was stare at the flares of red and orange amongst trails of dark smoke. #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 4d ago

#WIPSnips for today, apparently only have #coherent in the whole thing once and it's ~in~coherent lol

When she was close enough to dip her fingers in, she collapsed, her head thunking against the hard shore. Something slimy and cold brushed against her fingertips. Fish. She couldn’t summon the energy to reach for one.
Pathetic, she thought to herself with a groan. Pathetic to let a simple burn do this to me.
She heard Kiki’s laughter and felt blessedly pleased for such a sound.
“You can’t even break a rock!” her voice called from somewhere in the distance, echoing and quiet.
“I could,” Kari mumbled. The voice spoke again, closer and deeper, the words incoherent. She swirled her fingers in the water and edged a little closer, the water rushing over her burns and providing an intense wave of relief that gave way to blessedly dreamless slumber.

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 4d ago

There is #temptation in grief. Kari hadn't paid much attention to it when Kiki died; or maybe there hadn't been a better alternative than to run. Now, facing Lord Ari's home, she felt a tug. A desire to stay with the man who had tried to save Vivianne. Instead, Kari turned to the forest. #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last wk.

Lord Ari approached - Kari had already learned the #cadence of his steps. She tilted her head as he entered Vivianne's room. "Did you stay up all night?" Kari rubbed a hand over her face. "Yes." The boy-lord said nothing for a few beats. "Roland made venison stew. Will you join us? Please?" #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 2w ago

#WIPSnips #unfazed today! From Chapter 1, which I still need to fix lol 🥲

As her gaze took in the sight of snow dotted with specks of blood, she faltered. She’d seen animal blood before; her mother’s shiny snout was still flecked with it from their dinner. Something about the sight of this blood was different and filled her gut with squirming worry. Steam wafted as it melted through the snow, sinking deeper, shining as it did so. Starkly bright and crimson against such crisp, clean whiteness. It was a common sight for one who hunted, yet Kari struggled to tear her gaze away.
Near the edge of the clearing laid a still human body, facedown. Four more of them, three male and one female, were crowded away from her father, their weapons raised to keep him at bay. The massive black wolf, his teeth bared with his snarl, lunged at them. He danced in and out of range, never making the same move twice; unfazed by the bloody gash on his side.

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 3w ago

🌟 Sunday Spotlight 🌟 Demon Storm by @valeriestorm.bsky.social is a dark, action-packed YA fantasy (romance?) series about a wolf demon with lightning powers. It's a complete series just waiting for you to dive in! https://www.karenlykkebo.com/post/birth-of-the-storm 📚💙

Birth of the Storm (Demon Storm #1)

A dark YA fantasy with shadow monsters, a wolf demon, and lightning magic.

karenlykkebo.com

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 3w ago

Late #WIPSnips for #next, a rewrite of a scene I've kept for many, many drafts lol

Kari dropped her shoulders. Her tail—wolfish and golden-brown, just like her ears—drooped too. “It wasn’t enough.”
“What are you talking about?!” Kiki hopped over to the rock and pointed at it. “See! There!”
Kari joined Kiki and squinted at the stone. “It’s just gray,” she said.
“There’s a mark!” Kiki insisted. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as well as the cold. Her excited breaths came out in little gray puffs.
Kari snorted, then laughed. “Alright, alright.”
“Should we practice fighting next?” Kiki put up her fists. “I’m not a great opponent, but since we know you can’t break rocks with your fist…”
Kari smirked. “We could have a race instead. Unless you’re afraid of losing again…”
Kiki narrowed her blue eyes and lowered her hands. “Anyway…” She perked up, smile returning in an instant. “It’s the 29th day of the cold months!”

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 3w ago

For #WIPSnips today. #Extra doesn't always have a lot of importance but this scene was a nice rewrite 🥹

“Actually, this is good, because I wasn’t sure you’d like the birthday present I made you.”
With that, Kiki pulled a folded leather something free. When she held it out, it flopped open into a stitched leather cap. Kari took it, heart warming as she ran her fingers over the soft leather.
“You made me a hat,” she said softly.
“Yes! Took me weeks to tan the leather, and another week to learn the proper stitches. Pa got frustrated with me, wasting so much good leather.” She giggled.
Kari pulled the hat on. It sat snuggly, cupping her head but not pressing on her ears as much as she was used to. She flicked her ears, pleased with the extra room.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Kiki pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I love you, my friend, and I can’t wait to see the world with you.”

✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag@wipsnips.bsky.social · 4w ago

The #WIPSnips word for July 12th is "extra" #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag
July 12 - extra
Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration
Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics
Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine.
Support others on the #WIPSnips tag!
Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social

The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 4w ago

She had never been #embraced like this. His arms were warm around her. Not too tight; secure. He held her close as she stiffened...then relaxed. "This isn't for me," she wanted to say. Instead, she lifted her arms and placed them shakily around him. #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

He placed his hand on hers. His fingers were calloused yet soft, the weight of his hand not oppressive, but #tenderly comforting. Kari yanked her hand back. "What are you doing?" Surprise, then something softer than guilt crossed his face. "I'm sorry. You looked sad." #Vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Motivation is for sure my hardest. I could be jamming to some awesome song and imagine a scene in my head, then I get home and my brain is like "but y write" 😭😭😭 #SummerofStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last mo.

6 | What's the most difficult part of writing for you? Finding motivation? Generating ideas? The technical aspects of writing? Editing? Reception? Rummaging the food cabinet for a satisfying caloric muse? 😅 #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories

6. What's the most difficult part of writing for you?

Don't forget ALT text for images & hashtag #SummerOfStories

A #WritingPrompt game hosted by @kayleighdiaz.com

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Suuuuuper spoilers for Fate of the Storm lol but this is scene always made me so giddy to write (and even made me tear up on my own character for the first time...) #SummerofStories

Aza stepped forward, lifting her hands to her hood. "You see, the originals of us—the ones who were freed straight from Yutemi—cannot die by a blade. How useless we would be as pieces for our lord. When you struck me down, I waited...and received a new body."
She flipped her hood back, revealing the shapely, girlish face Kari had known for years. Waves of walnut hair cascaded over her shoulders and to her waist, the ends flowing in the slightest breeze. Eyes as blue as a nighttime sky, usually narrowing at the sight of Kari. Sharp cheek bones, always tinted by color whenever Ari was nearby.
It was the face of Julia.

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last mo.

4 | July… Fourth Eorlingas!!! Sorry, sorry. 😅 But in honor, share your most goosebump-worthy, epic, monumental scene! #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories

4. Share your most goosebump-worthy, epic, monumental scene!

Don't forget ALT text for images & hashtag #SummerOfStories

A #WritingPrompt game hosted by @kayleighdiaz.com

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Writing has saved my life, hands down. It gave me a place to put my darkest feelings and process them when I was ready. Kari's journey was a proxy for my own healing 😂 #SummerofStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last mo.

3 | What has writing done for you? Is it cathartic? A necessity, or just a hobby? A blight upon your soul because editing is the bane of—*ahem.* All good things, all good things… #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories

3. What has writing done for you?

Don't forget ALT text for images & hashtag #SummerOfStories

A #WritingPrompt game hosted by @kayleighdiaz.com

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

I prefer opening lines that grab the reader's attention, whatever that entails, but also gives insight into the character. Though I struggle to find a balance between "interesting" and "info dump" lol 😭 #SummerOfStories

Kayleigh Diaz 🫜@kayleighdiaz.com · last mo.

2 | In the beginning was the #word 😎 How do you start your stories? A catchy line, a description? Intro main character? Are you a fan of in medias res, and if so, *how* in medias? 🤔 #SummerOfStories #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt

#SummerOfStories

2. How do you start your stories? Catchy line, description? Intro MC?

Don't forget ALT text for images & hashtag #SummerOfStories

A #WritingPrompt game hosted by @kayleighdiaz.com

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

For #knock... Going back to Birth of the Storm has been a treat 😂 #WIPSnips

“Good. It appears Greglin will move up to a training position soon. Other than that, it’s smooth sailing until the hunt in a few weeks. Linus is preparing some new men for it now, but he wants to have the ceremony for Wilcoth’s promotion first. I have to help him plan that tomorrow—”
A series of loud, sharp knocks interrupted him. Kari’s head shot to the hall.
“I’ll see who it is,” Ari said with a frown.
She stood from the table as he left, her ears flickering when the front door opened.
“Lord Ari,” a breathless voice said.
“Whoa,” Ari replied. “What is it?”
Kari left the kitchen and entered the hall. Ari stood in the doorway facing Wilcoth. He was bent over, hair matted to his head with sweat. He smelled of salt and blood.
“What happened?” she asked sharply.
Ari glanced at her. Wilcoth lifted his head to look at them.
“Something in the forest,” he gasped. “Men are hurt—scouts—there was so much blood. You have to come.”

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Hi! I'm Valerie Storm (also called Jen lol). I published my first series, Demon Storm, a couple years ago and now I'm fiddling around trying to finish other projects...like giving book 1 a work over. I write exclusively fantasy with a pinch of romance and a pile of trauma 😌 #SummerofStories

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

The man's anger made Kari freeze. A web of #apprehension caught any words before they left her mouth; instead of defending herself, she gaped stupidly. Her paralysis only broke when the man pulled the string of his bow back to his chin, then let loose his arrow. #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

" #Carrion will do well to feed your need for hearts?" "They're not my favorite." Valeris shrugged. "But if that's all there is for miles--" "Then there will plenty of scraps for you. My shadows will see to that." #vss365

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Water! Finally, something new 😌ish, anyway #WIPSnips #writingprompts

The forest opened up bit by bit, thick underbrush and lush bushes spreading out to make way for a stretch of clear-blue water beneath the shining midday sun. Had they really walked for half the day to get here? Kari furrowed her brow and drew her attention down to the water’s glistening surface. She and Vivianne stepped closer; as they approached the shoreline, a huddle of silvery fish splashed away in a panic. She watched them disappear into the darkest depths of the water, then trailed her gaze beyond, to the other side.

Kari stared, simultaneously wanting to jump in, disturb the shiny surface and splash around on the pebbly shoreline; and wanting to walk the edge of it.

“Lacamose Lake,” Vivianne explained in an exhale. “Lacamose is from an ancient, demonic language. It means…ghost, or death. I can’t remember.”

One stream snaked away from the eastern edge of the lake toward the northern trees; another led west, into the real forest. The water trickled along, quietly soothing. “Why is it called that?”

Kari regretted asking as soon as the question left her lips; Vivianne inhaled slow and deep before she answered.

“It was the site of a mass grave during the war, supposedly. Lord Alton was never sure about the truth of it…”

She trailed off with a heavy exhale.

“Let’s keep going,” Kari murmured.

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Recently got some art drawn by @ginkajack.bsky.social for some tattoos...and they're coming out so freaking good ❤️‍🔥 time for color soon!

Tattoo of a character with a bow on an arm

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Root! Though soon this will all be rewritten... #WIPSnips

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

"The #grain is collected from the fields and processed by our bakers. Telda makes excellent bread-" "You pick the grain?" Kari asked, incredulous. Ari laughed. "No, but Telda makes me help knead the dough sometimes." #vss365

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · last mo.

Today's SSP #authorspotlight goes to @Douglasjern.bsky.social, Douglas Jern! Douglas Jern was born in Lund, Sweden and lives in Nagoya, Japan, where he makes his living as a translator and writer. He’s still not sure how a decidedly indoors person like himself ever managed to leave his hometown,

SSP Author Spotlight
Life After Dark

Featuring:
Douglas Jern

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · last mo.

Kari would have rather #pulled Vivianne along as a wolf than carry her backpack. "Are you okay?" Vivianne asked. She still sounded pained from the wound in her shoulder. "Fine," Kari lied. "Let's keep going." #vss365

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle)@kiraofthewind.com · 4mo ago

I JUST FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF MY NOVEL (I'm gonna have an epigraph-like epilogue)(I also have a LOT of scenes to add and some to delete, so I have a *lot* more work yet to do)

Welcome to the Good Thyme Inn

They dashed north along the road to Dawndorrel. Into the dark woods Grilled had once been told were infested with bandits. The woods were he sometimes played at being the bandit so he could rob or murder the guests who had failed to pay for ‘protection.’
He supposed there would be real bandits in that forest now.
Grilled just stood there, his arm around Aubergine, as they watched the flames reach higher and brighter. Behind the inn, the sky was so peaceful, the twinkling pink stars and three of Aloutia’s moons a calm that felt dissonant to the chaos below.
Burning, burning, burning, this inn and the hatred in the pit of Grilled’s stomach. Burning until there was nothing but ash.

Valerie Storm 📚@valeriestorm.bsky.social · 4mo ago

SUPER fucking grateful to Lorelei for helping make some major adjustments to my author photos 🥹 Highly recommend!!!

Lorelei Matthews - River Queen 🦑🦕 - Fantasy Author@loreleimatthews.com · 4mo ago

Looking for some graphics, social media templates, photo editing, etc? Hit me up! ko-fi.com/loreleimatth...

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Someone stop us! (But don't though, you LOVE us) Our next anthology, V, will be out next year. V for 5. V for Villains. We have dedicated some much needed time to the villain world and hope you come enjoy us for the ride. Coming June 21st, 2026. #booksky #writesky 🪐 📚 💙

Shadow Spark
Anthology
V
June 21st, 2026

Evil scientists abound
Poems drip with selkie sound -
A shapeshifter faces rage room difficulties,
And the Gleaner torments using awful memories.
While Jack the Ripper is walking dreams
The Lord of Demons rises & schemes
Murderers, villain marriage, tragedy & war, oh my!
So much bad within the good, you won't believe your eyes
The Shadow King seeks vengeance
While the Lord of Terror wields patience
All to be expected - we've a treat
The protagonists take a backseat
Peons rejoice, be paralyzed!
Today, at last, the villains rise

Featuring Shadow Spark Authors:

Rosa Tindall
V. north
Eric Avedissian
Kaitlyn Corvus
Amelia Gimes
Valerie Storm
JW Warner
Jade Black
Mariah Norris
Lorelei Matthews
Erika McCorkle

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 5mo ago

Need a spooky read for Friday the 13th?? Five short stories of the eerie, tragic, and macabre ⏳💀 One novelette of dark waves and folkloric vibes 🌊🖤 Five creepy tales from the garden 🤎🪱 Ebook from 99c and available on paperback! Find them here: https://www.karenlykkebo.com/shortstory

Cover of Now and the hour of Death. Skull with a finger in front of its teeth as if shoosing someone.
Cover of Drowned Hearts. Hands reaching up to the surface. A faint outline of an anatomical heart in background. Surrounded by white flowers. Dirt you shall become. Trowel and pink peony.
Text: Spooky short stories. Eerie, tragic, dark short stories waiting to give you goosebumps.

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 5mo ago

💜🐻 4 WEEKS UNTIL RELEASE 🐻💜 “I like the quiet, because it isn’t truly silent. Her breath disturbs the air. The faint shift of fabric when she’s readjusting herself in the bed. All these quiet ripples of stillness. They soothe me.” Links ⬇️ 📚💙

Trope map for Bear My Heart - a cozy sapphic novella. Ebook cover in green with the outline of a bear in the middle with mountains and a moon within the body.
Text: "spice level: handholding (barely), neurodivergent MC's, a magical mountain, overcoming grief, sapphic romance, a bear-shifter, hermit-vibes deep in the forest, nose-booping, old dying gods.

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · 6mo ago